Brooksville man faces additional fraud charges

BROOKSVILLE - A Brooksville man accused of stealing $43,000 from a soldier's bank account earlier this month has been arrested on additional fraud charges.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Indalesio "Indy" Basaldua committed other fraud crimes before he was arrested on Dec. 31.

Basaldua, 29, was initially arrested after telling Hernando sheriff's detectives he stole bank information out of a mailbox, and used the account numbers to take $43,000 from Donald Acreman Jr., who is stationed in Korea.

The sheriff's office said Thursday they have connected Basaldua to other crimes since he was arrested on Dec. 31.

Six fraudulent transactions totalling $409.04 have been reported by another victim, who recently ordered a new Chase credit card but never received it at her Brooksville home.

Detectives learned a male calling from Basaldua's cell phone called Chase to inquire about the account and provided account information. Video surveillance shows Basaldua and two other men using the stolen credit card to make purchases at area gas stations and a McDonald's drive-thru, deputies said.

Basaldua was arrested at the Hernando County Jail on Wednesday. He is being held in lieu of $107,000 bail.

Basaldua has been arrested nine times since Dec. 31, with six charges relating to fraud, according to the sheriff's office.

Hernando detectives, who warned county residents of mail fraud activity earlier this week, remind locals to remain alert, as more mail theft incidents and suspects are investigated.

Law enforcement believes there are several independent groups committing similar mail thefts and fraud.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Hernando County Sheriff's Office at (352) 754-6830.